Alexandria Bay is a small river town at the top of New York, in the Thousand Islands. It's a good fit for couples who want a weekend outdoors that still feels like a treat. You can spend a day on the water, see a castle, and be back in town for dinner.
With Laurentian Tours, every trip is private. A big tour boat is fine, but here it's just the two of you and Captain Richard Drake.
What can a couple do in the Thousand Islands?
Take a private sunset cruise. A river cruise usually runs about 4 hours, and it can be timed to the sunset that day. You'll pass Boldt Castle on Heart Island, the Gilded Age summer homes of Millionaires' Row, and tiny islands with one cottage each. For two people it's $450. Ask to slow down anywhere you want a photo. See Boldt Castle boat tours.
Go fishing together. No experience needed. A 4-hour half day for two is $500. The guide sets up the rods and shows you both what to do. You might catch smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, or perch. Most people who fish with Laurentian Tours are beginners.
Eat a shore dinner on an island. After a morning of fishing, the guide pulls up on an island and cooks your catch over a fire. The meal comes with BLTs, salad with Thousand Island dressing, salt potatoes, French toast with maple syrup, and campfire coffee. For two, a half day with a shore dinner is $710. Read about the shore dinner.
Add dinner to the cruise. Not into fishing? Add a shore dinner to a private cruise for $45 per person, and eat on an island partway through.
Why Boldt Castle fits a couples trip
Boldt Castle has a love story built in. George Boldt, who ran the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City, started building the castle in 1900 as a gift for his wife, Louise. It sits on Heart Island. When Louise died suddenly in 1904, he stopped the work and never came back. The castle sat empty for 73 years until the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority took it over in 1977 and started restoring it.
You can see it from the water on a private cruise. To go inside, you need a separate ticket. The castle is open from mid-May to mid-October. Check the Boldt Castle website (opens in a new tab) for this year's hours and prices. Our Boldt Castle guide covers the rest.
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A sample couples weekend
Friday. Drive up and check in. Alexandria Bay has hotels, motels, inns, and cottage rentals; summer weekends book up early. Walk down to the docks and watch the freighters go by. Many restaurants in town sit right on the water, though some keep shorter hours in spring and fall.
Saturday. Fish the morning with Captain Richard. Meet at Bonnie Castle Marina, Boathouse 3. Around midday, stop on an island for a shore dinner. Spend the afternoon in town or drive about 20 minutes upriver to Clayton and the Antique Boat Museum.
Saturday evening. Head back out on the water for a sunset cruise. Or save the cruise for Sunday.
Sunday. Take a shuttle boat to Boldt Castle and tour the grounds. Plan on about two hours. Then start the drive home.
Driving in from the city? See the plans for a getaway from New York City or from Montreal.
When is the best time for a couples trip?
| Season | Why go | Book |
|---|---|---|
| Late spring | Quiet town, castle opens in mid-May | Cruise, pike and walleye fishing |
| Summer | Warm evenings and long sunsets | Sunset cruise, shore dinner |
| Fall | Fall color and fewer crowds | Cruise, fall fishing, a musky day |
| Winter | A frozen river and an empty town | Ice fishing |
Fall is a good pick for couples. The leaves turn, the summer crowds leave, and the river gets quiet. Boldt Castle closes in mid-October, so go before then if you want to tour it. If you're up for a challenge, a 5-hour musky trip from late September through November is a shot at the river's biggest fish. Bass fishing on the St. Lawrence closes December 1, per the NYSDEC regulations (opens in a new tab), so check the current rules for your dates.
Winter is for adventurous couples. An ice fishing trip runs 4 hours, usually 7 to 11 AM, in a heated shanty. You fish mostly for perch, plus pike and walleye, and the guide cooks a meal on the ice. For two it's $400. Captain Richard only goes on ice he's confident in.
Planning an anniversary or a proposal?
A private boat is a nice setting for a big moment. If you have something special in mind, text Captain Richard at 315-836-5798 before you book. Tell him what you're planning and when you'd like to be out on the water. He can time a cruise to the sunset that day.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Ask about the rules on board. Want to bring champagne or anything else? Ask Captain Richard first.
- Have a backup day. If the weather isn't safe, he reschedules.
- Bring a jacket. Evenings on the water get cool, even in summer.
- Fishing licenses. If you fish, each of you needs a New York fishing license. Nonresidents can buy a 1-day license from the DEC (opens in a new tab). You don't need one for a cruise.
There's no deposit, and nothing is paid online.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Thousand Islands a good couples getaway in upstate New York?
Yes. You get private boat rides, Boldt Castle, island shore dinners, and a quiet river town. It works from late spring through fall, and in winter if you like ice fishing.
How much is a private sunset cruise for two?
A private river cruise for 1 or 2 people is $450. It usually runs about 4 hours.
Do we need fishing experience?
No. The guide handles the gear and shows you each step. A half day for two is $500.
Can we bring champagne on the boat?
Ask Captain Richard when you book. He'll tell you what's allowed on board.
Do we need passports?
Not for Boldt Castle from Alexandria Bay, since Heart Island is in the U.S. Bring photo ID. If your plans include Canada, bring a passport.
Ready to pick a date? See every trip and price, or call or text Captain Richard at 315-836-5798. No deposit.